TRI-HOLIDAY CLASSIC #3 ON TAP FOR ALTAMONT ON SATURDAY

Source: AMP Media Relations/sb
Date: 08/28/2008

TRACY, Calif — Another set of star-studded fields is expected in action Saturday, as Altamont Raceway Park hosts the third and final round of the prestigious Tri-Holiday Series.

Racing action will include the Flashco SRL Southwest Tour, led by points leader Jim Pettit of Prunedale, and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series (w/ Westcar stars) with Pleasanton’s Jason Gilbert leading the championship.

Both series will compete in 100 lap features on the fastest half-mile in the west, and more than 50 Late Model stockcars are expected to be in action.

Other divisions competing Saturday’s jam-packed program include the American Limited Stock Cars and Future Champions Development Series on the half-mile. The Formula-4 division will share time between the Altamont quarter-mile oval and the 1.1 mile road course.

The headlining SRL show features a diverse racing line-up of 20 drivers who are entered. Among the entries is Goleta’s Greg Voigt, who was the runner-up in the May race but succumbed to mechanical problems in the July event.

Pettit’s chief rival all season has been Craig Raudman of Cottonwood, who has finished in the top four in every SRL event in 2008. Despite this nearly perfect season, Raudman finds himself 17 points back in the championship.

Local drivers to watch include rookie leader Josh Combs of Sacramento, former track champ Todd Bammer, and Fremont’s Troy Ermish.

Altamont’s Western Late Model division is moving towards its season finale on September 6, with Gilbert comfortably in command of the points lead.

Gilbert, with nine wins on the season, has also vaulted to the NASCAR California State points leader and an impressive ninth place ranking nationally.

With points set by car count, Saturday’s impressive field should do wonders for Gilbert’s national aspirations.

But Gilbert will have to contend with a bevy of young drivers, including Brentwood’s Doff Cooksey who runs second in the standings.

Bobby Hodges of Carson City, NV will be back in action. Hodges has finishes of fourth and second in the Tri-Holiday races so far to be second in the Tri-Holiday standings.

Tim Spurgeon of Danville leads that battle by four points, with Gilbert still mathematically in the hunt. $2000 will be awarded to the Tri-Holiday Series champion.

Other drivers expected on Saturday include the exciting Kyle Gottula of Modesto, Orangevale standout Gary Glenn, last week race winner Mark Holeman of Los Altos, and rookie leader Greg Hock of Ione.

Sammy Solari of Salida leads the American Limited Stock Cars into its ninth event of the season. Solari leads by 10 points over Stockton’s Richard Harper on the heels of six main event wins.

Future Champions Development Series, a Late Model division for drivers ages 14-16, will compete for 20 laps on the half-mile oval.

The Formula-4 competition could be the most interesting. For the first time in division history, they will stage a 15 lap event on the quarter-mile oval, along with a 10 lap race on the 1.1 mile road course.

An ultra-tight points battle between Jake Morgenstern, Richard Hull, and Bob Wilson will be tested by this diverse and challenging race program.

Just 16 points separate the top-three in the standings.

Saturday’s action will see gates open at noon with qualifying at 1 p.m. and racing at 3 p.m. Altamont’s family-friendly “early in, early out” schedule will see racing conclude before dark.

For ticket and event information, log onto the track website.

Altamont Raceway Park is located just west of Tracy at the merger of Highways 205 and 580.

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